Forty-four persons who were in contact with a 13-year-old boy who tested positive for Covid-19 in Nakuru have been traced and all tested negative for the virus.
Governor Lee Kinyanjui said the affected persons who include the boy’s relatives and medical personnel who attended to him, have been placed under medical observation and would be monitored by experts for the next two weeks.
He also clarified that not all the cases announced by the Cabinet Secretary as having come from Nakuru were being treated in Nakuru.
“There is no cause for alarm as some of the patients were intercepted in the city and have therefore not been in contact with Nakuru residents.
Two persons who tested positive for Covid-19 at Isolation facilities in Nakuru a month ago were discharged a few weeks ago after recovering fully while the 13-year-old who hails from Solai within Subukia Sub-County is under medical observation at the Nakuru County Teaching and Referral Hospital. He is in a stable condition and is responding well to treatment,” said Mr. Kinyanjui
At the same time the governor has urged residents of areas frequented by long distance truck drivers to remain vigilant and observe precautionary measures.
Kinyanjui said the county was screening long distance truck drivers at Barnabas, Kikopey, Total and Salgaa areas after neighboring countries reported Covid-19 cases arising from long-distance truck drivers. He said testing of the drivers was ongoing at the Mai-Mahiu Health Centre in Naivasha.
“We have tested 67 drivers at the facility who have all turned negative. Random screening of residents has also been enhanced in the town centre while residents who refuse to wear masks while in public are arrested.
The devolved unit will continue to maintain close surveillance on coronavirus and give an update on any new measures being undertaken,” he stated.
Speaking when he flagged off the first consignment of 55,000 facemasks manufactured by County-run Technical Vocational Education Training Institutions Mr. Kinyanjui who was flanked by his deputy Dr Eric Korir said the county required better preparedness because it is located on a transit corridor.
He said the TVETS had undertaken to produce the consignment weekly to be distributed free of charge within all the 55 wards within the 11 sub-counties of the devolved unit.
The governor said he was collaborating with the County Assembly to formulate strategies that will rekindle economic activities that have been slowed down in Agricultural, industrial, formal and informal sectors following the outbreak and spread of the virus three months ago.
County Assembly Speaker Joel Maina Kairu said Coronavirus has negatively altered the social and economic lifestyle patterns of Kenyans.
“We must support National and County governments’ efforts to curb spread of this pandemic. Kenyans need to be wary that the numbers are rising steadily and may cause economic collapse if not controlled,” said MrKairu.
Members of the County Assembly, he said were charged with the duty to implement the directives issued by President Uhuru Kenyatta and the Ministry of Health by relaying the right information to the residents and collaborating with the relevant authorities and ensuring the Ministry of Health guidelines are followed.
“These are extraordinary times that require sacrifice and voluntary leadership. Leaders on the globe are coming up with ideas and sometimes putting their lives on the line to stop the spread of the disease,” said Mr. Kairu.
He added: “This is the time when MCAs at the Nakuru County Assembly must demonstrate pure leadership.”
Kairu reiterated the Assembly’s commitment to work closely with the national government and other relevant authorities to reduce the spread of Covid-19.
By Anne Mwale
